MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council approved on second reading the city’s fiscal 2025–26 general fund and coal severance budgets at its March 19 meeting.

John Ferguson, the city’s finance director, presented the second reading and said the revised total general fund revenues are $45,392,959 — an increase of $16,479 from figures used at the first reading after the county assessor issued the certificate of valuation. Ferguson said the coal severance fund revenues and expenditures are both projected at $122,450.

Ferguson told the council the revenue revision is routine: “After receiving the actual certificate of valuation from the county assessor’s office after the first reading … we were then used that to accurately calculate the current year property tax levy.” He said the city followed past practice by increasing the contingency line by the additional $16,479 and that there were no other changes to the general fund.

Councilors moved and seconded approval; the roll-call vote recorded all seven members voting yes and the clerk announced the ordinance “passes 7-0.”

The budget ordinance covers the general fund and the coal severance fund. The first reading was recorded as March 4, 2025; the second-reading approval completes the ordinance adoption step at the council level.

Ending: Finance staff indicated no further changes; council did not attach additional amendments or special reporting requirements during the March 19 vote.